Medical Cannabis Program & Industry Overview

Medical Marijuana History

Since the dawn of civilization, the medicinal benefits of marijuana have been recognized and vouched for by philosophers, licensed physicians and patients alike throughout various societies and cultures. References to medical marijuana or medical cannabis concern the parts of the cannabis herb that can be used as a physician-recommended form of herbal therapy or medicine. Cannabis contains around 483 medicinal compounds, eighty of which are cannabinoids and serve as the basis for both medical and scientific use. Among these, the most important cannabinoids that are found in the marijuana plant are terahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, cannabidiol, cannabinol, β-caryophyllene and cannabigerol.

With an extremely long and documented history of medicinal use, the marijuana plant has been used as a remedy dating all the way back to 2737 BCE or before the Common Era. Most notably, cannabis is recognized as one of the fifty fundamental herbs within Chinese herbology, ensuring its fundamental position for possessing medicinal benefits. The ancient Egyptians also used medical marijuana in suppositories in order to relieve themselves from the pain of hemorrhoids and to treat sore eyes. The Ebers Papyrus, is an ancient Egyptian text that preserved the most voluminous record of ancient Egyptian medicine known to date, and contains a description of medical marijuana as a therapy within its text.

Medical Marijuana for Medicine

Although medical marijuana is considered illegal in most countries across the globe, a number of governments, including the United States Federal Government, allow treatment with one or more specific low doses of synthetic cannabinoids for certain disorders that have been specifically approved. Supporters and advocates for medical marijuana maintain that cannabis has several well-documented and beneficial effects such as the amelioration of vomiting and nausea, the stimulation of appetite amongst chemotherapy and AIDS patients, the lowering of intraocular eye pressure in glaucoma and gastrointestinal illnesses as well. Medical marijuana's effectiveness as an analgesic or painkiller has also been suggested and in certain cases, disputed.

Becoming a Medical Marijuana Patient

Patients seeking access to medical marijuana are subject to the medical marijuana regulations and legalities in their respective state. Before any medical marijuana recommendation or certification processes are initiated and completed, both prospective and current patients must meet all of their state's specified guidelines. Each and every state that has approved the use of medical marijuana has established specific guide lines including a list of approved diseases and conditions for which an individual may qualify. If the individual's condition is within compliance of their state's guidelines, they are eligible to be seen by a licensed physician and eventually obtain a medical marijuana card in their respective state. However, patients must first complete and pass a medical marijuana evaluation and certification process that not only clarifies the patient's condition, but also creates a proper plan on how to treat this illness with medical marijuana as an alternative medicine. At this time, all medical records and current or past medical conditions will be discussed and taken into account.

Medical Marijuana State Legalities

Currently, only a few of the states that have approved laws to legalize medical marijuana, accept medical marijuana registry ID cards from other states: Arizona, Delaware, Maine, Michigan and Rhode Island.

Nearly all of the states that legalized medical marijuana also require proof of residency to be considered a qualifying patient for medical marijuana use. As of january, 2014, the only state that has announced that it will accept any out-of-state applications is Oregon. It is not known whether Delaware will accept applications from non residents once its program is fully established. In the states of Colorado, Oregon, Michigan, Nevada, Rhode Island and Delaware, all affirmative defenses protect a medical marijuana patient from conviction but not arrest, even if the current patent doesn't have a medical marijuana ID card. Patient ID registry cards are also considered voluntary within the states of Maine and California; however, California medical marijuana cards offer the strongest legal protection for patients.

Medical Marijuana Providers And "Dispensaries"

When you have become a registered and approved patient within your respective state's medical marijuana program, please note that the licensed physician who conducted your medical marijuana evaluation and certification cannot address any issues in terms of actually obtaining your recommended medicine. In some cases, certain states allow their patients to cultivate their own medicine and not visit a dispensary, collective or wellness center. Cultivation of a specified number of plants is legal under medical marijuana patient laws in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

For medical marijuana patients seeking more information on how to obtain their recommended medicine within their respective state, please visit the website www.potlocator.com to locate all possible dispensaries, smoke shops, hydroponics stores, delivery services and doctors and lawyers. We recommend the trusted services at Pot Locator, with a directory of more than 2,000 legitimate businesses within the medical marijuana community.